
Contents
This owner’s manual should be considered a permanent part of the  
vehicle and should remain with the vehicle when it is sold.
This owner’s manual covers all models of the Civic 4-Door. You may 
find descriptions of equipment and features that are not on your 
particular model. 
Images throughout this owner’s manual (including the front cover)  
represent features and equipment that are available on some, but  
not all, models. Your particular model may not have some of these  features. 
This owner’s manual is for vehicles sold in the United States and  Canada. 
The information and specifications included in this publication were  
in effect at the time of approval for printing. Honda Motor Co., Ltd.  
reserves the right, however, to discontinue or change specifications  
or design at any time without notice and without incurring any  
obligation.2 Safe Driving  P. 23
For Safe Driving P. 24 Seat Belts P. 28 Airbags P. 35
2Instrument Panel  P. 65
Indicators P. 66 Gauges and Displays P. 78
2Controls  P. 97
Setting the Clock P. 98 Locking and Unlocking the Doors P. 99 
Opening and Closing the Moonroof *
 P. 116
Adjusting the Seats P. 126
2 Features  P. 143
Audio System *
 P. 144 Audio System Basic Operation *
 P. 147
Bluetooth ®
 HandsFreeLink ®*
 P. 177
2 Driving  P. 201
Before Driving P. 202 Towing a Trailer P. 207 
Refueling P. 234 Fuel Economy P. 237
2Maintenance  P. 239
Before Performing Maintenance P. 240 Maintenance Minder™ P. 243 
Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades P. 278 
Heating and Cooling *
 System Maintenance P. 291
2 Handling the Unexpected  P. 297
Tools P. 298 If a Tire Goes Flat P. 299 
Overheating P. 311 Indicator, Coming On/Blinking P. 313
2Information  P. 323
Specifications P. 324 Identification Numbers P. 328 
Emissions Testing P. 331 Warranty Coverages P. 333
Main Menu2012 Civic 4D Online Reference Owner's Manual 

18
Quick Reference GuideHandling the Unexpected (P 297)
Flat Tire  (P 299)
● Park in a safe location and replace the  
flat tire with the compact spare tire in the  
trunk.
Indicators Come On  
(P 313) ● Identify the indicator and consult the  
owner's manual.
Engine Won't Start  
(P 306) ●If the battery is dead, jump start using a  
booster battery.
Blown Fuse  (P 318)
● Check for a blown fuse if an electrical  
device does not operate.Overheating  (P 311)
● Park in a safe location. If you do not see  
steam under the hood, open the hood,  
and let the engine cool down.
Emergency Towing  
(P 321) ● Call a professional towing service if you  
need to tow your vehicle.          

297
Handling the UnexpectedThis chapter explains how to h andle unexpected troubles.
Tools
Types of Tools .................................. 298
If a Tire Goes Flat Changing a Flat Tire ......................... 299
Engine Does Not Start Checking the Engine ........................ 306
Jump Starting .................................... 307
Shift Lever Does Not Move .............. 310
Overheating How to Handle Overheating ............. 311 Indicator, Coming On/Blinking
If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes 
On ............................................. 313
If the Charging System Indicator Comes 
On ................................................. 313
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes  On or Blinks ................................... 314
If the Brake System Indicator Comes On ....... 315
If the EPS Indicator Comes On.......... 315 
If the Low Tire Pressure Indicator Comes 
On ................................................. 316
If the TPMS Indicator Comes On ...... 316 If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator 
Comes On or Blinks ....................... 317
Fuses Fuse Locations ................................. 318 
Inspecting and Changing Fuses ........ 320
Emergency Towing ........................... 321  

321
Handling the Unexpected
Emergency Towing
Call a professional towing service if you need to tow your vehicle. ■Flat bed equipment
The operator loads your vehicle on the back of a truck. 
This is the best way to transport your vehicle. ■ Wheel lift equipment
The tow truck uses two pivoting arms that go under the front tires and lift them off  
the ground. The rear tires remain on the ground.  This is an acceptable way to 
tow your vehicle.1Emergency Towing
NOTICE
Trying to lift or tow your vehicle by the bumpers will  
cause serious damage. The bumpers are not designed  
to support the vehicle's weight.
NOTICE
Improper towing such as towing behind a  
motorhome or other motor vehicle can damage the 
transmission. 
Never tow your vehicle with just a rope or chain. 
It is very dangerous, since ropes or chains may shift  
from side to side or break. 

343
INDEX
SRS Airbags (Airbags)................................  38
Starting the Engine ..................................  211
Does Not Start ........................................  306 
Engine Switch Buzzer ..............................  117 
Jump Starting .........................................  307
Steering Wheel ........................................  124
Adjusting ................................................  124
Stopping ...................................................  233
Summer Tires ............................................  288
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) .......  38
Switches (Around the  Steering Wheel) .............................  2, 3, 117
System Message Indicator .........................  72
T 
Tachometer ................................................  78
Temperature
High Temperature Indicator ....... ...............  69
Low Temperature Indicator .......................  74 
Outside Temperature Display ....................  85
Temperature Sensor ..................................  85
Time (Setting) .............................................  98
Tire Pressure Monitoring System 
(TPMS) .....................................................  225
Indicator .............................  71, 72, 316, 317
Tires ..........................................................  280
Air Pressure.............................  281, 325, 327 Checking and Maintaining ......................  280
Inspection ...............................................  280 
Labeling ..................................................  281 Puncture (Flat Tire)...................................  299
Regulations .............................................  283 
Rotation ..................................................  287
Spare Tire ................................  299, 325, 327 
Summer ..................................................  288 
Tire Chains ..............................................  288
Wear Indicators .......................................  285 
Winter .....................................................  288
Tools ..........................................................  298
Towing a Trailer .......................................  207
Equipment and Accessories .....................  208 
Load Limits ..............................................  207
Towing Your Vehicle ................................  210
Emergency ..............................................  321
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring 
System) ....................................................  225
Indicator ..............................  71, 72, 316, 317
Transmission .....................................  215, 217
Automatic ...............................................  215 
Fluid ................................................  263, 264 
Manual....................................................  217 
Number ...................................................  328 
Shift Position Indicator .......................  67, 216
Trip Meter .............................................  80, 83
Troubleshooting .......................................  297
Blown Fuse ......................................  318, 319 
Brake Pedal Vibrates ..................................  19
Buzzer Sounds When Opening Door ..........  20 
Emergency Towing ..................................  321 
Engine Won’t Start ..................................  306 
Noise When Braking ..................................  20 Overheating ............................................  311 
Premium Gasoline ...........................  234, 326 
Puncture/Flat Tire ....................................  299
Rear Door Won’t Open......................  19, 104 
Select Lever Won’t Move .........................  310 
Warning Indicators ....................................  66
Trunk .........................................................  109
Lid...........................................................  109 
Light Bulb........................................  324, 326
Turn Signals ..............................................  118
Indicators (Instrument Panel) .....................  73
U 
Unlocking the Doors ................................  101
Unlocking the Front Doors  from the Inside .........................................  11
USB Adapter Cable ...........................  144, 145
USB Flash Drives .......................................  176
VValet Key ...................................................  100
Vanity Mirrors ...............................................  5
Vehicle Identification Number ................  328
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ®
)..................  223
Off Button...............................................  224 
Off Indicator..............................................  70 
System Indicator ........................................  70
Viscosity (Oil) ............................  254, 325, 327
VSA ®
 (Vehicle Stability Assist) ..................  223